2nd August 2020
It’s March 16th 1973, I haven’t slept much the night before because today I get to hear the brand new T.Rex album, Tanx!
Of course it was a school day, but I managed to get into town, call into HMV, get my copy of the album and take it home before returning for the afternoon lessons. Whatever they were I can’t remember and I am pretty sure I had zero involvement in the subject matter as my mind was on one thing, getting home and listening to …. no, devouring, the latest release from my hero.
The fickle world of pop music back in the 70’s meant that Marc’s star had waned ever so slightly and teenyboppers had moved onto the next level of pop that appealed to their senses, this was okay with me as I was ‘maturing’ musically as T.Rex developed and I was keen to hear the new sound that had been mooted by Marc in interviews prior to the release.
Tanx did not disappoint, nor does it to this day, it’s being played as I write this, it has a rich, full and edgy sound to it, more positive in its flavour than its predecessor, The Slider, which (naturally) I also love.
The album track by track:
Tenement Lady: Starts with a squeal from Marc, then settles into a danceable vibe that is miles away from the sounds most people familiar with T.Rex would know, it has none of the formulaic elements of the singles that made the band so incredibly popular at the start of the 70″s. After the groove gets going it suddenly halts and becomes this reverb, echoing, orchestrated piece that harks back to Tyrannosaurus Rex days.
Rapids: As always with Marc’s lyrics, sometimes they border on very obscure, something he was slated for, whilst his friend and rival Bowie was applauded for being bold and off beat with his. Rapids, is one of those classic random songs that has a touch of the jangly guitars about it, and the lyrics are odd “and we stood like the rapids and I was like a new born child”? Still a cool song though.
Mister Mister: My favourite track, it was back then and still is now. A typical Bolan groove that makes you want to dance, it has a constant beat to it that keeps the song flowing…. and the lyrics absolutely make sense, as sometimes they do!
Broken Hearted Blues: A real bluesy track, slow, deep, Marc’s voice makes you feel the pain he wants you to feel. A very untypical T.Rex vibe and one that certainly pointed to where the future of T.Rex was heading.
Shock Rock: Not a particular fave, it felt like Marc was trying to say to all the other ‘pop’ stars who were aiming to outdo him that he didn’t need to shock to please his fans. Some say it’s directed specifically at Alice Cooper. It’s got better with age!
Country Honey: Classic T.Rex guitar and tempo, Country Honey is all about Marc showing off his guitar skills in a soft rock album filler.
Electric Slim & The Factory Hen: I remember being confused by the title of this song. At the age of 13 I wasn’t really thinking about Marc singing about hens, but …. it’s actually about almost losing someone you love and fighting back to keep her! Odd lyrics nonetheless.
Mad Donna; Starts with a child saying ‘Mad Donna’ in French, followed by Marc tutting ?? I love this song, it’s got those squeaky vocals in the background that had first shown themselves on The Slider and increased on Tanx. Lots of piano, jingly jangly piano and guitars. A repetitive track but insistent and definitely one that lodges in the brain.
Born To Boogie: Formulaic, but absolutely classic T.Rex. Definitely written to appeal to the masses with it’s catchy chorus. The title to the Bolan film ‘Born to boogie’ which is a mix of surrealism and live footage, well worth a watch if you want to see what the 70’s musical landscape was all about.
Life Is Strange: Slow, Marc sings ‘life is strange’ and then elaborates about the passing of time in a melancholic track that doesn’t go anywhere in a rush. It’s on of those Marc songs that you either love or hate …. me, I love it.
The Street & Babe Shadow: I LOVE THIS, it starts off jazzy and then trundles along at an upbeat speed. The haunting sounds in the background absolutely enhance Marc’s vocals. This, to me was a clear indication of the change of direction Marc was trying to take without risking losing too many fans by completely altering his very specific style. The sax in the background is awesome.
Highway Knees: A juddery start, then a soft lilting track that showcases Marc’s ability to soften down his voice and sing beautifully. Not T.Rex sounding at all, apart from half way through when you can just hear Marc turn away from the mic and shout ‘YEAH’ …. classic!
Left Hand Luke & The Beggar Boys: I don’t know what T.Rex’s teenybopper fans must have thought of the closing track, it’s epic, nonsensical (some of the lyrics are downright weird) and it builds to an operatic climax. It’s slow, it’s hypnotic and it’s a fabulous end to a fabulous ((overall) album.
Of course there were 3 classic T.Rex singles released leading up to Tanx …. Children Of The Revolution, Solid Gold Easy Action and the epic 20th Century Boy, follows by the classic The Groover, which anyone who knows T.Rex at all should be familiar with all of them.
My obsession with Marc Bolan is well known by all my family and friends, and at any given opportunity I will dig out an album and take myself back to the 70’s for an hour or so.
In 2014 there was an epic re-release of this album and it’s follow up ‘Zinc Alloy’ which featured masses of out-takes and unreleased stuffs, but, it’s always the original version that gets me. The re-release gave fans the opportunity to have their name included in the packaging, OF COURSE I DID IT!
Tanx for the memories Marc, and Tanx for being responsible for my lifelong love of music of (most) genres.
